2.1.2 Ensure Show Bluetooth Status in Menu Bar Is Enabled

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Information

By showing the Bluetooth status in the menu bar, a small Bluetooth icon is placed in the menu bar. This icon quickly shows the status of Bluetooth, and can allow the user to quickly turn Bluetooth on or off.

Rationale:

Enabling 'Show Bluetooth status in menu bar' is a security awareness method that helps understand the current state of Bluetooth, including whether it is enabled, discoverable, what paired devices exist, and what paired devices are currently active.

Impact:

Bluetooth is a useful wireless tool that has been widely exploited when configured improperly. The user should have insight into the Bluetooth status.

Solution

Perform the following to enable Bluetooth status in the menu bar:
Graphical Method:

Open System Preferences

Select Dock & Menu Bar

Select Bluetooth

Select Show in Menu Bar

Terminal Method:
For each user, run the following command to enable Bluetooth status in the menu bar:

$ sudo -u <username> defaults -currentHost write com.apple.controlcenter.plist Bluetooth -int 18

example:

$ sudo -u firstuser defaults -currentHost write com.apple.controlcenter.plist Bluetooth -int 18

Profile Method:

Create or edit a configuration profile with the PayLoadType of com.apple.controlcenter

Add the key Bluetooth

Set the key to <integer>18</integer>

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3573